TRANSPORT OPTIONS

HOW TO GET AROUND MOROCCO

For travelling in Morocco, there are four main options: taxi, bus, grand taxi and shuttle. The following route information is only shown for one direction, but can also be applied to the reverse journey

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Taxi: Taxis give maximum flexibility on departures times and choice of destination. If you want door-to-door convenience and you can afford the higher rates, than a private transfer is a good way to go! If you are a group then taxis can actually work out being pretty reasonably priced. Street taxi fares vary hugely so you should ask around to get the best rates. Unfortunately, many Moroccan taxi drivers make a habit of ripping off tourists, so be prepared for some lengthy haggling to get down to a fair price. Maybe ride-hailing companies like Uber or Lyft will reach Morocco one day, but in the meantime pre-booking taxis with set rates is the best way to ensure reasonable prices

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Grand Taxis: These are shared taxis that run between smaller towns that don't have bus connections. Grand taxis don't run on set timetables, instead of departing when they are full. Depending on the route (and your luck) this can mean a wait of just a few minutes, but more often would be around 20-30 mins (and it would be pretty unusual to wait for more than an hour). It is normal to have four people sitting in the back three seats and if the route is popular sometimes two in the passenger seat as well! Prices, in general, are reasonable (so long as you are paying the same as the locals). As with the regular taxis, drivers often try to take advantage of tourists demanding many times the normal price. The best thing to do is ask the other passengers how much they are paying, then try to pay the same. For some routes, you may be able to go direct and others you will need to change (just ask your hostel/hotel manager for information relating to your particular trip)

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Bus: There are many bus companies operating in Morocco (CTM and Supratours are two of the higher-end ones). It is not possible to buy tickets online - instead, they are purchased at the bus terminal. It is recommended to buy tickets at least one day before travel as they are often sold out on the day (particularly in peak seasons or weekends). Expect to pay a small fee for each piece of luggage and keep an eye on your bags in the bus terminal as tourists can sometimes be targeted by thieves/pickpockets. Once your bags are under the bus they should be OK, but for added peace of mind it is worth keeping your valuables with you on the bus

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Shuttle: A shuttle has much of the comfort and convenience of a taxi but at a fraction of the price. For our shuttles you can book your tickets online before travel, so you know you have a guaranteed seat. Our shuttles run on set departure times so you'll know exactly how long the journey will take and more importantly won't end up wasting time waiting in bus stations. We collect guests from convenient locations in the middle of town (with most accommodation walking distance from one of our stops). All our vehicles have AC (which given Morocco's climate is a welcome addition!) and luggage is carried free of charge. We also have space for surfboards so you can bring your surf gear with you. Our shuttles go direct between the popular visitor locations so there is no need to change vehicles.

Public Bus:There are no bus companies currently operating routes from Marrakesh to Taghazout or Tamraght, instead you need to catch a bus to Agadir and then transfer to Taghazout / Tamraght. The Marrakesh to Agadir bus ticket is €11, plus 45-minute walk or €5 taxi to the bus station in Marrakesh. To guarantee a seat it is recommended to buy your ticket the day before travel. If this is not possible then getting to the station at least one hour before the departure time can work instead. To continue onwards to Taghazout or Tamraght from Agadir it is €15-20 taxi or €2 bus. If you want to get the bus, you must first change bus stations in Agadir as the bus from Marrakesh stops in a different station to the one heading up the coast. This is a 30 min walk or €5 taxi (5 - 7 hours)

Public Bus: There are no buses operating from Essaouira to Taghazout or Tamraght. Instead, you need to catch a bus to Agadir and then transfer back to Taghazout or Tamraght (the Essaouira to Agadir bus ticket is €7). Sometimes you can get the Essaouira-Agadir bus to drop you on the side of the motorway at the Taghazout motorway junction (or in Tamraght). If you wish to try this, don't use one of the national bus companies (such as supratours or CTM) as these companies are not allowed to drop people off on the side of the road. Instead, you need to use one of the local companies. If you end up having to go to all the way to Agadir it is a €15 taxi or two buses back to Taghazout and Tamraght. If you can get dropped at the Taghazout junction it is a 15 min walk or 3 min taxi ride down the hill to town. If you get dropped in Tamraght most accommodation is a 10-20 min walk (though a lot of the village is up a steep hill, so a taxi might be worth it!) To do this journey in reverse you need to first take a €5 taxi or €1 bus from Taghazout/Tamraght to banana village - from here you should be able to flag down a passing bus heading to Essaouira. There is around one bus an hour, so your waiting time will depend on how recently the last bus passed by. On busy days (such as holidays and weekends) buses can have no seats left by the time they reach banana village - in this case, it is best to continue on to Agadir and get on the bus there. The larger bus companies (such as supratours or CTM) are not allowed to pick up people from the side of the road. If you wish to use these companies you have to get on in Agadir (4-6 hours)

Public Bus:This journey starts the same as going from Taghazout to Essaouira. First, take a €5 taxi or €1 bus from Taghazout/Tamraght to banana village and from here flag down a bus heading to Essaouira. There is around one bus an hour, so your waiting time will depend on how recently the last bus passed by. On busy days (such as holidays and weekends) buses can have no seats left by the time they reach banana village - in this case, it is best to continue on to Agadir and get on the bus there. The bus should cost around 70 dirhams. You need to ask the bus driver to stop the turn off to Imsouane beach. From here it is another 8km to the village - there are no buses for this section so your only options are a taxi or a very long walk! (3-4 hours)

Public Bus:Get on a local bus headed from Essaouira to Agadir. Don't use one of the national bus companies such as supratours or CTM - this is very important as these companies are not allowed to drop people off on the side of the road. If you get on one of these buses you will end up going all the way to Agadir...! On the local company bus, you need to ask the bus driver to let you off on the turnoff to Imsouane beach. From here it is another 8km to the village - there are no buses for this last section so your only options are a taxi or a very long walk! (3 hours)

Public Bus: Bus €8 per person, plus 45-minute walk or €5 taxi to the bus station in Marrakesh and a 15-minute walk or €2 taxi from the bus station in Essaouira. For journeys during school holidays and weekends seats on these buses often sell out in advance. To guarantee a seat it is recommended to buy your ticket the day before travel. If this is not possible then getting to the station at least one hour before the departure time can work instead (4.5 hours)